Further information

Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov has announced the start of an "anti-terrorist operation" (ATO) against pro-Russian separatists.

He told parliament it was being conducted "stage by stage, in a responsible... manner". [1]

It is clear from Turchynov's announcement that the Junta expected to secure full control and compliance in the South-Eastern parts of the country with relative ease. Asit turned out, thismarked the beginning of what has become a protracted and bloody civil war with the junta using all the military power at its disposal against its own citizens.